St. Petersburg may no longer be the political capital of Russia, but it is undeniably its art and culture capital. Fantastic art collections, historic palaces and summer festivals draw visitors from all over the world, and its many intertwining canals and location on the Gulf of Finland earn it the nickname “Venice of the North.” While St. Petersburg may still be a costly city, it’s far more affordable to stay there than in its big sister Moscow. Cheap mini-hotels such as Adagio na Fontanke, and dorm beds like those in the Baby Lemonade Hostel, are increasingly easier to come by.